Rank
2024 RC Selector
2024 Lexus RC
FAST FACTS
"Ancient by anyone's definition, the RC would be well past its sell-by date were it not for that sterling Lexus reputation, which gives this coupe enduring appeal. To be fair, it's also quite a nice car to drive, providing a smooth, quiet ride and authoritative acceleration — if you get the V6-powered RC 350, at least. We'd skip the lackluster four-cylinder RC 300. To be honest, we'd skip the whole lineup and go with one of the RC's dramatically newer rivals, but we can understand this model's conservative appeal."—Ranked #4 out of 4 Compact Luxury Coupes
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2024 Lexus RC that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
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It would technically be an oversimplification to call the RC the coupe version of the IS sedan, but they do share powertrains, including the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic that are found in the RC 300. Just like the IS 300, the RC 300 fails to compete with luxury rivals from Germany — a sprint to 60 in the low 7-second range isn't going to cut it these days.
To understand just how long the current-generation RC has been around, look no further than the RC 300 AWD. It uses an ancient naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 rated at 260 horsepower, which is what a typical turbocharged four-cylinder makes today. The SUV-like fuel economy is another telltale sign.
We've always enjoyed the 3.5-liter Lexus V6 in its fully unfettered form, so we can't throw too much shade at the RC 350. It's a swift luxury coupe with a proven powertrain. Just know that rival six-cylinder engines these days are typically both more powerful and more fuel-efficient.
You lose two speeds in the automatic transmission by adding all-wheel drive to the RC 350, and that's a loss we'd rather avoid. The pick of this litter is clearly the rear-drive RC 350, which gives you an eight-speed automatic plus slightly better acceleration and superior fuel economy compared to the RC 350 AWD.
Although this RC generation is generally long in the tooth, the RC F's naturally aspirated V8 is one anachronism we would gladly live with. We'd just prefer to enjoy this very same powertrain in the IS 500 sedan, but if you're drawn to the RC F, we totally get it.
What are the different versions of the 2024 RC, and how much do they cost? Select a version below or just hit the button to see our full 2024 RC specs and model data.
| Version | Price | Fuel | MPG | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Lexus RC 300 (2.0T 8-Speed Automatic) | $44,770 | Gas | 25 | 241 hp | 258 lb-ft |
| 2024 Lexus RC 300 AWD (3.5 6-Speed Automatic) | $47,460 | Gas | 22 | 260 hp | 236 lb-ft |
| 2024 Lexus RC 350 (3.5 8-Speed Automatic) | $47,700 | Gas | 23 | 311 hp | 280 lb-ft |
| 2024 Lexus RC 350 AWD (3.5 6-Speed Automatic) | $49,865 | Gas | 22 | 311 hp | 280 lb-ft |
| 2024 Lexus RC F (5.0 8-Speed Automatic) | $67,145 | Gas | 19 | 472 hp | 395 lb-ft |
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008. Prior to founding MotorDonkey, he spent 15 years shaping Edmunds' expert automotive content in various capacities, starting as an associate editor and ultimately serving as a senior editor before wrapping up with a five-year term as the company's first-ever director of content strategy. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has driven, compared and critiqued thousands of cars in his career. Helping people find their perfect car never gets old—seriously!
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